Breaking News

Video: No issues on MR contesting again: UNP

06 Oct 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The United National Party (UNP) does not see the incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa contesting for a third term at a future presidential election as a major issue, General Secretary Tissa Attanayake said today.

He told a media briefing that his party did not see President Rajapaksa contesting for a third term as a problem because he could be defeated by a joint effort of all opposition parties.

“A Supreme Court interpretation will be necessary in the event the President decides to contest for a third term and the ultimate result of such a scenario is obvious when taking into account the status of the judiciary today.” The UNP General Secretary said.

He hinted at the possibility of fielding a common opposition candidate when he said the party had decided to have discussions with other opposition parties on working out a common agenda.

Mr. Attanayake said the UNP had actually begun discussions with other political parties including some in the Government.

“We are on the verge of arriving at an agreement with some members of the government to work together at the next presidential election,” he said and added that any common platform of join opposition political parties should be led by the UNP because it had an 80 per cent stake.

However the UNP General Secretary said any common platform of the join opposition should be led by the UNP as the party has an 80 percent stake in the total number of opposition votes.

Meanwhile Mr. Attanayake asked whether the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka had reached an agreement with the Government on holding a presidential election in the midst of the papal visit.

“The church has insisted that the election be held before the Pope’s visit to Sri Lanka and therefore we wonder when the election will be held,” he added. (Yohan Perera and Sanath Desmond)

Breaking News

Video: No issues on MR contesting again: UNP

Most Popular Articles

Breaking Down the Israel–Iran Conflict: What We Know So Far - Day 108

’’Cut out the noise, focus on your game’’; Sri Lanka great reaches out to Sooryavanshi

Struggling Pizza Hut chain to be sold for $2.7bn

Sri Lankan Rupee appreciates further against US Dollar

Sri Lanka find right combination in WI defeat

Heavy rain expected as El Niño conditions set to develop globally after February: Officials

Latest News

Messi sets World Cup scoring record as Argentina advances to knockout stage

FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Bracket and Schedule: Road to the Final Takes Shape

WhatsApp to be led by Indian start-up founder as Will Cathcart steps back

US Assistant Secretary of State meets President Dissanayake

US Treasury eases sanctions, issues 60-day license for Iranian oil amid progress in peace talks